The campaign for a Yes vote in the marriage equality referendum has a significant ambassador in the unlikely and unassuming figure of Pat Carey, former Fianna Fáil TD and minister.

He is no Panti Bliss, you will not see him waving a feather boa down O'Connell Street to campaign for gay rights, but his entry into the debate is very significant. Electorally speaking, Carey's demographic will prove most critical in deciding who wins the forthcoming referendum on marriage equality.

Political love is fickle. For the most part, our political masters weave a fine line between political principle and expediency. Following in the brave footsteps of Leo Varadkar, yesterday Pat Carey declared that he is a gay man. More importantly, he warned of political complacency in relation to campaigning for a Yes vote. In particular, he mentioned the lack of activity in his own party. I am sure for many, his news resulted in a simple shoulder shrug; so what?

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